The African continent has been plagued with conflicts, civil wars and political unrest for decades. However, in recent years, several African nations have come together to work towards peace and stability. These nations have realized that their conflicts are interconnected and have created the African Union to address these issues collectively.
One example of this cooperation is the Ethiopian-Eritrean peace agreement, signed in 2018 after decades of conflict. The two nations had been engaged in a border dispute since Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993. The conflict resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and created a humanitarian crisis. However, in 2018, both nations came together to sign a peace agreement, ending the conflict and restoring diplomatic relations.
Similarly, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda have been working together to address the issue of armed groups operating in the eastern region of the Congo. The three nations signed a joint communique in 2019 to increase their collaboration in the fight against the armed groups.
Another example of cooperation is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which was launched in 2018. It aims to create a single market for goods and services in Africa, which will boost economic growth on the continent and reduce poverty. The agreement has been signed by 54 of the 55 African Union member states, with only Eritrea remaining outside of the agreement.
There are also several peacekeeping missions in Africa that involve multiple nations working together to maintain stability in conflict areas. The United Nations and the African Union have deployed peacekeeping forces in countries such as Mali, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic to maintain peace and security.
These efforts have not only brought about stability in individual countries but have also fostered regional integration and cooperation. African nations have realized that they are stronger together and that by working together, they can address the various conflicts and challenges facing the continent.
In conclusion, the African continent has come a long way in terms of cooperation and working towards peace. The success of the Ethiopian-Eritrean peace agreement, the creation of the AfCFTA, and joint efforts to address regional security challenges demonstrate the commitment of African nations to work together towards a more stable and prosperous continent. While there is still much work to be done, the progress made so far is a promising sign for the future of the African continent.